travel writing

I recently signed up for a travel writing course through the Matador Network, the online mag that I mentioned a couple posts ago. I have another blog with them, and have submitted my first assignment, as well.

Here's a link.

I had to write a bit of evergreen content... I didn't know what that was, either, so click there if you'd like to know. I don't think it's exactly what they're looking for, but it's all I had in me. I'm currently waiting for some critique and feedback from them and other students, but please leave some of your own!

love,
g

self-ramblings.

It’s 4pm on my day off and all I’ve done was jog on the treadmill for 40 minutes and fail at trying to set up an extension for my wireless network so I can sit outside on my computer. Lucky me, I’ve been sitting on a hard-backed chair and become congested from the chilling AC.

I’ve also spent hours staring at my MacBook screen, yet haven’t finished reading or writing one thing. It’s more than writers block. I paid for an online travel-writing course that I felt fell onto my lap at the perfect time. It has to be for me, right? It was between that and an article-writing course and I thought that the niche of travel writing was more appealing and specific than the other. I’m struggling with the first assignment and of course, since my mind likes to go off on more tangents than a boring schoolteacher, I immediately compare this assignment with my future. I can’t figure it out and I feel utterly stuck!

Besides traveling one day, I honestly don’t have any passion other than being a writer of sorts, and I’m not even a good one. I’m 25-year-old BA degree-holder with no real writing experience, a short-lived magazine internship on my resume and a dedicated four and a half years at my current place of work.

At age five I started writing, always kept journals and loved English class. So why was I clueless when choosing a major for college? I started my college career taking music business classes (???). Five years later ended with an English degree (of which I tried all three concentrations- publishing, creative writing and literature).

I learned a lot about myself over the years. Lessons I am proud to say I’ve learned and experiences that have shaped me and made me realize a lot about people and life. Unfortunately, however, I’ve always been two things: boy crazy and confused. Safe to say I’ve got the boy situation under control, though growing up a hormonal little girl no doubt halted much progression with learning. I was an average student, but never pushed myself to accomplish more. The biggest risk I took was probably following through with the internship… crrraaazzyyy, right? You need to keep me on a leash!

Needless to say, upon graduation, I did not pursue a career in English or writing or anything of the sort, but instead took a fulltime position in the retail store I was employed at and currently still working. It’s been Four and a half years.

So, what now? I stare at my inbox and wait for the little red “1” to pop up telling me I have an email…from whom? My favorite magazine asking me to travel with them and help write articles on…what exactly? Not only will I not be receiving miraculous emails from companies asking to have me, I also have no idea what my dream writing material is. So here I am sifting through countless coupons and travel deals that clog my email, with little to no hope left. No dream job, no goals, no talents or hobbies (that I’m good at), and credit debt that disrupts my sleeping patterns.

Oh look, an email from MySpace. Fabulous.

I had great talks about setting goals, etc. with old friends last week and if they’re reading this, I hope they don’t think I haven’t listened to them or didn’t taken anything away from what they said. Every piece of advice I’ve ever been given floats around in my brain- where my college education should be- ultimately weighing my thoughts down and draining my body more than when I’m unable to get my daily protein consumption.

But, my problem still lies with this: I don’t know what I want to do, so how do I set my goals? Start small? I’ve started being thrifty and using my money more wisely, great. (I’m still going to be in debt with credit cards for a long time, which prevents any travel or internships or working for little-to-nothing to get ‘my foot in the door’ i.e. abroad or NYC- unless I want to work 80 hours/week). I also started that writing course (which is currently not going to work in my favor if I can’t even write).

My goal is to have a goal. One that involves moving in some fashion away from home. I’m too comfortable. And there’s not much for me here, on Long Island. As I’ve said, I have job, although not one that makes my heart go pit-a-pat, but one that enables me to pay for everything I need (which can work in my favor if I can only figure out my goals and passions). It’s my comfort level at home and work mixed with my nerves and inability to take risks that has kept me in one place my whole life. Some people are OK with that, but I know there is more out there for me.

matador bbq!

I drove into Brooklyn this week to experience my first legit networking party. I didn't know what to expect, but that's what intrigued me about it. I've been reading and obsessing about this online travel magazine called Matador (and now sosauce) where there are endless, really well written articles on everything from inspiring people who travel for a living, to 'fifty things to do before you die', to travel writing tips. I joined their network and started another blog- a travel blog. I'm not yet the traveler, but one can dream, right?

A post for a BBQ in Brooklyn popped up while I was drooling over the numerous adventure stories, so I RSVP'd and called my fellow spontaneous-random-trip-taking friends and filled my tank. My girl, Karen, came and we swapped life stories on the drive down the belt parkway... I hardly take my trusty Pontiac into the city, so thank goodness for my iPhone...

The party was in an adorable neighborhood 'garden' hugging the side of a bunch of apartment buildings. I recognized the enchanting trees and walkway from the pictures. We grabbed our raffle ticket (which I later had won a prize with!) and weaved our way through the group of eclectic individuals. We weren't sure how to approach these people who all seemed to already know each other, but within minutes of absorbing the bright greens of the garden and the soothing, but fun music from the DJ, we were greeted by a warm, enthusiastic woman, Cindy. She welcomed us, asked us about our lives, made us laugh and introduced us to her brother and friends who are a part of or started these travel communities... I've been lusting to change scenery, climate, states, countries- anything to culture and enrich my life- but after this week, it's confirmed that I officially admire travelers, writers, adventurers, do-gooders or anyone who takes risks and goes wherever life takes them.

Meeting new people is different and intoxicating. Something can be said about strangers who want to bring you into their world and educate you. I do, however, consider myself lucky to have the life I do, the close, large family I live with and the friends who, well, mean the world to me. I have inspiration all around me and every day. Of course, I'm still teaching myself how to capture and exercise it all...but it's there! ...Cindy and her friends were wonderful people and her stories about living in Africa and being a nutritionist were awe-inspiring, but someone else there amazed and captivated me- and not for the first time...

We all have our strengths, positives and that special something that sets us apart from the others. (It's obvious that I'm still learning to use mine.) Karen is one of my best friends, even after only a few years. Her life, stories, charm, strength, family, beauty and heart fascinate me. I can certainly say this about all of my friends, but she left a particularly strong impression on my this week and I felt compelled to tell her. Spending the evening with her at this event left me appreciating and admiring her all the more. We reminisced about becoming friends and this is pretty much how it went down. Karen: "Hi, gina, you're cute, can we be friends?". We have been bests ever since. Something we have in common is we can read people well and were attracted to each other's energy. While talking to our new Brooklyn friends, I listened to her, and was reminded why we're friends. She's exploding with this energy and brightness I don't think I've seen in anyone else I've ever met. She can charm the pants off anyone, every time, including me (and I've heard her stories tons of times)! I thought I was sociable and an extrovert, but I find myself listening more than talking when she's around. Recently, I heard of her dreams to move to BK and work her ideal job and I respect and support it completely... it's also closer and more tangible than I think she knows. I've habitually been better at giving advice than receiving and my advice to her has been what everyone we met that night was also telling her; to cut the strings that have been holding her here and pursue. Because exuberance like hers needs to be let loose!

I hope to employ the admiration I have towards these people or their lives and motivate myself to set goals and eventually live out my aspirations. Whether it be as small-scale as getting my writing published or as life-changing as moving across-or out of- the country, I'm slowly setting priorities to make things happen. ;)